Stokes is knocked out, Pope leads England

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka will start from Wednesday at Old Trafford. England captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury before this test. England has announced the eleven today excluding him. Ollie Pope will lead the England team in this series instead of Stokes. Harry Brooke has been made his assistant.

Besides, the England and Wales Cricket Board has made two more changes in the team to play against the West Indies. Opening batsman Jack Crowley is also out of the XI due to injury. Dan Lawrence will play in his place. Matthew Potts returns to the team. Pacer Mark Wood is also there. Shoaib Bashir is the only spinner in the team.

In the last series, the English beat the West Indies by 3-0. Now they want to whitewash Sri Lanka and keep their hopes of the World Test Championship final alive. Sri Lanka, however, came to England in Toitumbu confident after winning the series against India.

England's XI for the first Test:
Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir.